WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 -- The Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exposition (OFC) announced this week that technical paper submissions are up 9 percent from last year and that nearly 900 exhibitors -- from industry leaders to emerging companies -- have signed up for its 2003 show, to be held March 23-28 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. "We are very pleased with the increase in paper submissions, as well as the fact that nearly 90 percent of our exhibit floor sales were completed months in advance of the conference," said Cynthia Gady, OFC's senior director, meetings and exhibits. "In spite of the economic pressures faced by the industry, we continue to see strong interest in OFC from around the world. In fact, more than 25 percent of our exhibitors in 2003 come from outside the US, including at least one government-sponsored delegation from China." The global reach of the event emphasizes the significance it plays in the worldwide market, attracting new, prosperous optical communications companies from as far off as Asia to preview the most up-to-date technical advancements and network with US companies, Gady said. Technical papers will cover a wide variety of issues, inlcuding new optical Ethernet devices, optical computing devices, optical fiber systems in the home and record-setting communications capabilities, she added. According to Gady, "OFC's technical sessions and post-deadline papers undergo a rigorous peer-review process unparalleled in the industry. It is the strength of the conference's programming that sets it apart from those that have suffered setbacks during these tough economic times." Bill Smith, chief product development and technology officer, BellSouth Corp, will deliver the keynote speech at the conference. For more information, visit: www.ofcconference.org